The US media almost entirely ignores news regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran. As Tony Snow of the Fox News Network has put it, this is probably the most under-reported news story of the year. But most Americans are unaware that the Islamic Republic of Iran is NOT supported by the masses of Iranians today. Modern Iranians are among the most pro-American in the Middle East.

There is a popular revolt against the Iranian regime brewing in Iran today. Starting June 10th of this year, Iranians have begun taking to the streets to express their desire for a regime change. Most want to replace the regime with a secular democracy. Many even want the US to over throw their government.

The regime is working hard to keep the news about the protest movement in Iran from being reported. Unfortunately, the regime has successfully prohibited western news reporters from covering the demonstrations. The voices of discontent within Iran are sometime murdered, more often imprisoned. Still the people continue to take to the streets to demonstrate against the regime.

In support of this revolt, Iranians in America have been broadcasting news stories by satellite into Iran. This 21st century news link has greatly encouraged these protests. The regime has been attempting to jam the signals, and locate the satellite dishes. Still the people violate the law and listen to these broadcasts. Iranians also use the Internet and the regime attempts to block their access to news against the regime. In spite of this, many Iranians inside of Iran read these posts daily to keep informed of the events in their own country.

This daily thread contains nearly all of the English news reports on Iran. It is thorough. If you follow this thread you will witness, I believe, the transformation of a nation. This daily thread provides a central place where those interested in the events in Iran can find the best news and commentary. The news stories and commentary will from time to time include material from the regime itself. But if you read the post you will discover for yourself, the real story of what is occurring in Iran and its effects on the war on terror.

I am not of Iranian heritage. I am an American committed to supporting the efforts of those in Iran seeking to replace their government with a secular democracy. I am in contact with leaders of the Iranian community here in the United States and in Iran itself.

If you read the daily posts you will gain a better understanding of the US war on terrorism, the Middle East and why we need to support a change of regime in Iran. Feel free to ask your questions and post news stories you discover in the weeks to come.

If all goes well Iran will be free soon and I am convinced become a major ally in the war on terrorism. The regime will fall. Iran will be free. It is just a matter of time.

DoctorZIn

PS I have a daily ping list and a breaking news ping list. If you would like to receive alerts to these stories please let me know which list you would like to join.

Thousands of protesters are shouting at this time (20:50 IR local time) slogans asking the end of the Islamic regime and are marching in the open spaces of the Airport despite the heavy presence of the security forces.

I will await for the Bush administration to make the Iran- Al Queda link publically first and won't trust an FR Thread since so many have been totally discredited regarding Iraq and Al Queda links and WMDs. Sorry- I am funny that way.

43
posted on 10/14/2003 5:13:21 PM PDT
by Burkeman1
((If you see ten troubles comin down the road, Nine will run into the ditch before they reach you.))

Yes, But who are the sources for the story? Again- Only when an official from the Administration or Bush himself says so I don't take anything the press says about anything for granted. After all- Bush said nothing about AQ and Iraq for two years but sat back and let liars in the pro Bush media do his bidding for him. What a surprise it must have been to these idiots when Bush said there was no tie about two weeks ago. When Bush says there is a tie and does so on TV and clearly- then I will take it seriously. Forgive me If I don't now.

45
posted on 10/14/2003 6:02:03 PM PDT
by Burkeman1
((If you see ten troubles comin down the road, Nine will run into the ditch before they reach you.))

LONDON: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on Tuesday he wanted the standoff over Irans nuclear programme resolved peacefully but did not rule out possible military action.

Asked in parliament if he ruled out such action if Iran did not cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog, Straw said: "We wish to see this matter resolved peacefully. Im not going to predict what is going to happen except to say we have adopted a consistent approach in respect of Iran."

"The UK government has frequent contact with the government of Iran on this subject and weve made clear our serious concerns," Straw told parliament. "Weve also made clear our wish that Iran must maintain complete transparency about its nuclear programmes and comply fully with the demands set out by the IAEA board of governors resolution on December 12."

The IAEA on Tuesday told Iran an October 31 deadline to clear up allegations that it is seeking nuclear weapons stood firm, as IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei prepared to leave for Tehran. The stern warning came after the Iranian opposition gave details on a secret nuclear installation where it claims the regime is enriching uranium with a view to producing atomic weapons.

IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told AFP: "There are two phases to our work. The first phase involves Iran providing all the information to us on unresolved questions no later than October 31." Fleming said the second phase entailed verification of the information provided by Tehran.

ElBaradei, IAEAs Secretary-General, was due to arrive in Tehran for a visit on Thursday on invitation of the Islamic republic. The inspectors concerns focus in particular on traces of highly enriched uranium found on two samples they took from a nuclear site in Natanz.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi was given a hero's welcome from thousands of fans as she returned to Iran, with the human rights activist shrugging off government warnings and immediately calling for the freeing of political prisoners.

"I hope that all political prisoners will be freed," Ebadi, the first Muslim woman and first Iranian to win the prize, told reporters after she stepped off an Iran Air Boeing 747 from Paris.

"This prize is not only for me, but for all those in favour of peace, democracy, human rights and legality," said a visibly emotional Nobel laureate, who almost fell to the ground in the crush of people who turned out to greet her.

Ebadi, 56, was given the prize last Friday for her efforts to promote democracy and human rights, particularly for women and children in the Islamic republic. Her defence of dissidents and campaign for legal reforms has earned her the wrath of Iran's religious right.

Some 10,000 people, a majority of them women, had descended on Tehran's Mehrabad airport for the homecoming of the petite and softly-spoken jurist, with bumper-to-bumper traffic bringing an area around the airport to a standstill.

Many in the crowd shouted political slogans, echoing Ebadi's calls for political prisoners to be set free, and chants directed against embattled reformist President Mohammad Khatami who earlier Tuesday poured scorn on the value of the prize.

One woman in her 50s, who gave her name as Fereshteh, described Ebadi as an "angel of freedom".

Most women were also wearing white headscarves -- an organising committee set up by supporters of Ebadi to plan festivities for her return had called on women to make the symbolic gesture of wearing white rather than the usual black preferred by the Islamic regime.

For her part, Ebadi was sporting a red headscarf. While in Paris -- where she had been for a short visit when the prize was announced -- she had again angered hardliners here by not covering her head as Iranian law demands.

Fearing a crush, Ebadi was whisked away but then returned to give a brief declaration to the crowd, many of whom had stood for hours to catch a glimpse of the previously little-known jurist.

"This prize is not for me. The prize is for the great people of Iran," Ebadi said, as flowers were tossed at her. "This prize signifies that the demands of the Iran people for democracy, human rights and peace has been heard by the people of the world."

After a deafening applause, she politely took her leave: "Excuse me for this evening, but after tomorrow I will be your servant, like I always have been."

Earlier, President Khatami broke four days of silence over her prize win, warning her to "pay attention" and pouring cold water on her achievement.

"Obviously I am pleased that a compatriot has achieved such success," Khatami said on emerging from parliament. But, in comments that stunned observers, Khatami added: "The Nobel Peace Prize is not very important, the ones that count are the scientific and literary prizes.

"I hope that Mrs Ebadi, who comes from a religious family and has expressed her love for Islam, will pay attention to the interests of the Islamic world and of Iran, and not allow anyone to exploit her success."

Since she was awarded the prize on Friday, Ebadi has criticized the slow pace of reforms under Khatami -- who has been increasingly silent on key problems facing the Islamic republic -- and called for the release of political prisoners in Iran.

On Wednesday, she is due to give her first press conference in Iran since winning the prize on October 10.

She has said that she plans to travel to Oslo on December 10 to receive the Peace Prize, which also carries a purse of 1.1 million euros (1.3 million dollars).

Wednesday October 15, 2:41 AM Nobel winner Ebadi back in Iran, demands freedom for political prisoners

Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi returned to Tehran, immediately calling for the freeing of political prisoners as she was mobbed by thousands of well-wishers.

"I hope that all political prisoners will be freed," Ebadi, the first Muslim woman and first Iranian to win the prize, told reporters after she stepped off an Iran Air Boeing 747 from Paris.

"This prize is not only for me, but for all those in favour of peace, democracy, human rights and legality," said a visibly emotional Nobel laureate, who almost fell to the ground in a crush of journalists and ordinary residents who turned out to greet her.

"The world recognises the fight of Muslim women, and this is my political message," she said. "My message for Iranians is a message of love, friendship, peace and justice."

Some 10,000 people, a majority of them women, had descended on Tehran's Mehrabad airport for her homecoming.

Many shouted political slogans, including calls for political prisoners to be set free and chants directed against embattled reformist President Mohammad Khatami who earlier Tuesday poured scorn on the prize.

As the area surrounding the city centre complex was brought to a standstill by bumper-to-bumper traffic, people were seen abandoning their vehicles and covering the final few kilometres (miles) on foot to catch a glimpse of the petite and softly-spoken jurist.

Many women were clutching bouquets of flowers and pictures of the Nobel winner, and singing patriotic hymns. Most of them were also wearing white headscarves.

An organising committee set up by supporters of Ebadi to plan festivities for her return from Paris had called on women to make the symbolic gesture of wearing white rather than the usual black preferred by the Islamic regime.

For her part, Ebadi was sporting a red headscarf. While in Paris, she again angered religious hardliners here by not covering her head as Iranian law demands.

But sensing a serious crush could ensue at the airport, Ebadi gave only a brief declaration to the crowd before being whisked away.

"I cannot meet you tonight, there are too many people. I am sorry for this evening but, as of tomorrow, I will be at your service," she told the crowd briefly while standing on a chair.

Ebadi, was awarded the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Friday, becoming the first Muslim woman to win the honour in the prize's 102-year history.

Ebadi, 56, was given the prize "for her efforts for democracy and human rights," particularly for women and children in her country, which has been under Islamic rule since the 1979 revolution, the Nobel Committee said.

There is another November date our leaders should take seriously: the 25th, the anniversary of the disappearance of the twelfth imam, and thus the most significant date in the Shiite calendar. Reports from Tehran suggest that the mullahs would like to celebrate that anniversary with a big-time terrorist attack against America.

Had Israel not knocked out Osirak, Saddam would have had a nuclear weapon.

Does Powell seriously think he can stop the Iran nuclear weapon with words?

What the Clintons need is for this weapon to be built and used--against Americans, be it in Iraq or Manhattan.

Why would not the French and Russians assist as they already have? The Chinese and North Koreans?

Control of the world is at stake, and such a blow might sufficiently damage the U.S. economic recovery and the president's approval rating to put the Clintons back in power.

Certainly the president is not counting on Clinton's Tenet to prevent this after he failed to detect or deter the non-nuclear 911.

* It should recognize politics as a space quite distinct from theology, and thus open it to all citizens on the basis of democratic principles.

* It should define and condemn terrorism in clear terms, and not hide behind the stupid cliché that "one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter."

* It should acknowledge full legal equality for men and women, setting aside the obfuscations the mullahs use to prove that women are inferior beings.

* The summit should also abandon the arrogant aim of imposing Islam on the entire world as mankind's sole religion, and, instead, welcome plurality and the competition of beliefs in an atmosphere of freedom and understanding.

Khatami, who has repeatedly denied that senior al Qaeda figures are in Iran, has no control over security organs such as the Revolutionary Guard, which answer to the office of the supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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